Pet victims are now being reported at the rate of one of week after 2017 was revealed as the worst year ever for the flesh-destroying disease.

Research is underway to try and unravel the mysteries of the disease which begins with dogs getting ugly lesions on their paws and legs after walks but can quickly cause kidney failure.

From the first sores to death can happen in seven days, with treatment successful in only one in five cases.

As experts continue to try find what is causing the disease, new figures released today reveal how Alabama Rot – its technical name is idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) – has taken hold across the UK in just five years, with 122 confirmed cases.

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What worries experts is the way cases are escalating. In 2017 there were 35 incidents, but eight of these occurred during December alone.

Already in the first days of January there have been two cases confirmed by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists.

A geographical breakdown of the last 10 cases show how widespread the disease has become, with reports coming in from Sacriston (County Durham), Guiseley (West Yorkshire), Bury and Bolton (Greater Manchester), Leek (Staffordshire), Petworth (West Sussex), Brighton (East Sussex), West Coker (Somerset), Bishop’s Tawton (Devon), and in Presteigne in Powys, the first time Alabama Rot has been confirmed in this county.

David Walker, the UK’s leading expert on the condition, from Anderson Moores, said: “We are sad to announce eight more cases from 2017, making it the worst year so far for cases of Alabama Rot.

“With two cases in 2018 already, it is understandably very worrying for dog owners, but we hope the increase in cases is partially due to a higher awareness and understanding of the disease.

“Although the figures have almost doubled since 2016, it is important that dog owners remain calm, but vigilant for signs of the disease, particularly over the coming months, as we are now in the peak season for cases of the disease.

“The first sign of the disease that is normally seen is a skin sore that isn’t caused by a known injury.

“Most commonly these sores are found on the lower half of the leg and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.”

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Pet victims of Alabama Rot are now being reported at the rate of one of week

An interactive map produced by Vets4Pets is online to show pet owners where cases have been reported as well as providing advice on what to do if concerned.

Alabama Rot derives its name after greyhounds in the southern United States began succumbing to the mysterious disease in the 1980s, although it would take almost 30 years for it to appear in the UK.

British scientists and veterinary experts held a summit on the disease last summer and launched the first stage of a research project with funding from the charity Stop Alabama Rot and the New Forest Dog Owners Group, an area which has witnessed a significant number of cases.

Dr Kim Stevens, of the Royal Veterinary College, who is carrying out the research and hopes to have the results of her work published in March, said: “This research will not identify the specific cause of the disease, but is designed to look for geographical patterns, as well as environmental and climatic risk factors.

The first sign of the disease that is normally seen is a skin sore that isn’t caused by a known injury

David Walker

“An obvious pattern that we can see is linked to seasons, with the vast majority of cases occurring between November and March, and limited cases over the summer.

“We hope our ongoing research with Anderson Moores and the work that Vets4Pets are doing will take us closer to finding the cause of this nasty disease.”

Pet owners who suspect their dogs have Alabama Rot should seek immediate veterinary advice as Dr Huw Stacey, vet and director of clinical services at Vets4Pets and who has been supporting research on the condition for a number of years, explains:

“While it is understandable that dog owners will be worried by this increase in confirmed cases, Alabama Rot is still a very rare disease and we’d encourage owners to continue exercising their pet.

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IT'S the animal equivalent of going to the dentist - a trip to the dreaded vets.?These pictures - collated by the website pulptastic - show just how traumatic the whole experience is for pets.?Hugging their owners closely, some unfortunate dog owners were forced to bear the entire weight of their large canines.?And for others it simply proved too much, such as this desperate dog who buried his whole head into a rug

“Unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.

“Treatment is supportive, but is only successful in around 20 percent of cases, which is why we’re encouraging all dog owners to use the online interactive guide to help them understand the clinical signs and confirmed locations of the condition.

“If a dog becomes affected, the best chance of recovery lies with early and intensive veterinary care at a specialist facility such as Anderson Moores.

"Any dog owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their veterinary practice immediately.

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